Elle Stevenson

Rarely does a musician have a song selected for a movie soundtrack before she releases her first album, but this is exactly what has happened for Northern Irish musician Elle Stevenson when independent film company "TreadSoftly Productions" got in touch about using the primary album track "Time" in the 2009 movie release "Lovelorn".

Born and bred just a few streets from the legendary Van Morrison, Elle has been making her mark on the local scene since 2003 and now looks ready and able to do so further afield. Indeed, it has been an eventful year or two for the young pianist and singer; having received national media attention for receiving the one millionth review on the music investment website "slicethepie.com", she went on to win their showcase just a month later. The win secured her enough funding to record the long-awaited debut album, “Coming Around”, which went on general release in September.

Elle’s evocative voice – strong, haunting, angst-ridden and defiant – is perfectly suited to her songs (thirteen in all on the album) which are beautifully crafted tales of the pain and joy, love and friendship, betrayal and loyalty in the modern world.

Even in person, Elle has a rare kind of honesty; one that would never permit her to shy away from wearing her heart on her sleeve or from broaching subjects in her songs that others might find uncomfortable, such as the battle through her twenties with anorexia and bulimia. Perhaps that is why her songs have, at times, been described as "lyrically raw"; yet, they are so carefully framed by her beautiful cascading piano lines, the uplifting harmony of the music and lyrics cannot help but draw you into her unique, complex and beautiful world.

While comparisons to other artists reveal little about Elle's unique direction, she does list an impressive range of influences of artists whom she admires, including the likes of: Suzanne Vega, Justin Currie, Crowded House, the Dixie Chicks, Lucinda Williams, Patty Griffin, Alanis Morissette, Sarah McLachlan, Gillian Welch, The Beautiful South, Nirvana, Tracy Chapman, Angie Stevens, Sheryl Crow, Ryan Adams, Bill Mallonee, Bryan Adams, Coldplay, Rascal Flatts, Radiohead, Kings of Leon, Editors and The Fray.

To date, Elle has honed her stage craft by supporting many great artists, such as guitar legends Rodrigo y Gabriela and soul diva, Beverley Knight, but with an already growing fan-base and reputation, and since the launch of her debut album, life seems set to take her another step towards the inevitable stardom that beckons.